This is the old friend who lives down the road, who has faithfully barked me off his property for the last 15 years. Too much of a gentleman to actually offer a bite..rather he complains until you are safely past.
With the hint of a wag, and still a gleam in his eye.
These days I wait for him to get off the porch, go slow so he can get to the fence...telling him what a good thing it is to see him on the job, and how scared I am..(I am scared, too, scared he won't be able to bark me off, some day). Age, and time catching him so.
Still he offers me one serious "woof"...and then ambles back to his sunny spot. Content that he has sounded the alarm.
It has been a rough winter for the old man, and he likes his job..I
wanted to share him with you, catch him, on the job, before the porch falls silent.